It’s been nearly six weeks since the Toronto Raptors were eliminated from the playoffs.
All-star point guard Fred VanVleet was forced to watch the fateful Game 6 against the Philadelphia 76ers from the sidelinesΒ due toΒ a hip injury.
But the 28-year-old said onΒ Wednesday that he’s now back on the court and feels “great” amid his first regular off-season since winning the 2019 championship.
CBC Sports caught up with VanVleet to discuss his injury recovery, the Raptors’ future, his nomination for the NBA’s social-justice award andΒ more.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
CBC Sports: This is your first normal off-season in a while. How are you taking advantage of that?
VanVleet: I feel great right now. I was hurtΒ towards the end of the season. So having a chance to have time to rehab and just rest, reset and then now start by working out. So I’m feeling good. There’s a longer runway to try to get back to season form. So the last two years have been a blur and it’s definitely been a wild roller-coaster. But I think just getting this season back on track, it’ll certainly help me individually and I’m excited about that.
CBC Sports: How’s that recovery coming along?
VanVleet: I’m doing good. I got back on the court this week, which felt great. It’s the best I’ve felt in a while. So it’s going to be a long processΒ to get back to where I need to be. But definitely I find my most peace when I’m able to work. I need to work and the body’s feeling good.
CBC Sports: What do you see as the next step the Raptors can take next season?
VanVleet: WeΒ set the bar pretty high for ourselves. People didn’t think we were going to be any good and then we dropped into a five seed [in the Eastern Conference playoffs]. So the sky’s the limit. We’ve got to be thinking championship. And that’s really the only goal for us at this point. Anything less than that? I think we won’t be happy. So we’ve got to be thinkingΒ Finals, championship,Β winning our conference, winning the division.
WATCH | Raptors eliminated from playoffs at hands of 76ers:
Philadelphia beats Toronto 132-97 and takes the first round series 4-2. Joel Embiid scores game-high 33 points while James Harden adds 22 points and a game-high 15 assists.
CBC Sports: Have you been watching much of the playoffs?
VanVleet: Yeah, I’ve been watching the games. I usually don’t. But just being at home and obviously getting back in the flow of things,…
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